Refurbished iPhone: is it worth buying?

Apple's pricing policy excludes the practice of promoting sales through temporary discounts on products. Instead, Apple is promoting a high-value category of devices labeled with the Certified Pre-owned acronym. 



This category includes officially restored equipment - in particular, iPhones. Manufacturer refurbished devices do not fit into the primary or aftermarket. In other words, they cannot be classified as new, used, or refurbished.

Therefore they are classified as "Refurbished". On the purchase of such a device, you can save about 15%. Another question is whether such savings are justified.

Refurbished iPhone

Refurbished iPhone Devices of this type appeared as part of the CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) program, which implies a customer-friendly replacement scheme for products under warranty, and a profitable opportunity for the company to reuse components. 

How is this implemented in practice? For example, a person who recently bought a new iPhone contacts a company store under warranty with a complaint about Touch ID malfunctioning or a quiet sound in the speaker. 

If less than 14 days have passed since the purchase, the customer has the right to refuse the iPhone and return their money. 

All copies with minor faults, accepted under the official guarantee, are sent for recovery, where they undergo a complete reassembly process. Moreover, this does not happen in a workshop, but at an Apple-branded factory equipped with special equipment.

What is the factory recovery process: The defective component is not repaired, but is immediately replaced with a new one; A new battery and screen are being installed; The device is assigned a new IMEI and a new serial number; Reassembled components are put into a new case; 

A full cycle of industrial testing is performed; iPhone comes with a new box and a full set of branded accessories (also new). Ultimately, the iPhone goes on sale again, only this time at a reduced price and marked "Refurbished". 

Importantly, all copies restored in this way are covered by a one-year manufacturer's warranty.

What is the difference between new and used iPhones If we compare it with a completely new gadget, according to external signs, differences are present only in the design of the box, as well as in the presence of appropriate inscriptions on price tags or in the titles to the description of the goods: "Like New"; "Refurbished" and its abbreviated forms (Ref, Ref, RFB); Apple Certified Pre-Owned (or CPO).

In all other respects (in appearance, functionality, and quality), the officially refurbished iPhone is almost identical to the new one.

In comparison with the usually used iPhone, there are many more differences. First, the refurbished smartphone looks much more presentable - no scratches or scuffs. Second, the customer will be the first user of the accessories in the kit. 

Thirdly, a new original battery and other components are installed that are subject to rapid wear. 

Fourthly, the manufacturer provides the same warranty as for a new device. In the end, the buyer doesn't have to worry about the smartphone being stolen, repaired, or dropped into the water (as is the case with used equipment). 

Should you buy a refurbished iPhone In fact, there is no objective reason for not buying an officially rebuilt iPhone. This is the best option for those who want to save money and be confident in the quality of the product without risking buying a used device.

In the end, the buyer doesn't have to worry about the smartphone being stolen, repaired, or dropped into the water (as is the case with used equipment). to the content Should you buy a refurbished iPhone In fact, there is no objective reason for not buying an officially rebuilt iPhone. 

This is the best option for those who want to save money and be confident in the quality of the product without risking buying a used device. However, many remain disappointed with the purchase. 

One of the main reasons is that not everyone understands the difference between the types of refurbished products ( Factory and Seller ). Factory (or Manufacturer ) refurbished - Factory refurbished by Apple in accordance with CPO program standards.

Seller refurbished. This marking is given to an iPhone repaired at a dealer's service center. The quality is almost always inferior to the first option and strongly depends on the complexity of the repair. At the same time, one cannot count on an official guarantee from the manufacturer, alas.

There are situations when under the guise of "Seller Refurbished" an iPhone is sold, "restored" by a private person in artisanal conditions. Non-original components can be used for repair and assembly, as well as used parts removed from other copies.

How to know if the iPhone is restored or not? This information will be useful not only for those who are interested in buying a Refurbished iPhone but also as an instruction for those who do not want to be deceived by unscrupulous sellers. 

Those who take advantage of the ignorance of buyers and give out refurbished iPhones as new ones, and repaired iPhones, it is not clear where and by whom, as refurbished ones. 

In such cases, understanding the terminology (Factory and Seller) may not be enough: on the price tag or in the product description, they can write anything they want. to the content Distinctive features of the officially restored iPhone Box. 

Regardless of the version of the iPhone (5s, X, etc.), on the front side of the box, instead of the smartphone image, there is an inscription with the model name, and on the bottom - the inscription "Apple Certified Pre-owned". 

On the back of the box is the serial number (all S / N Refurbished iPhones start with the letter F), followed by the RFB inscription, indicating the product category.

Appearance. The body of the smartphone and all accessories in the kit must be in perfect condition, in the original films, and without any traces of use.

Serial number. The most reliable way to check an iPhone is by S / N. You need to make sure that the S / N indicated on the box and in the smartphone settings are identical. 

On devices that have not yet been activated when first turned on, the serial number can be found on the welcome screen by clicking on the "i" button in the lower right corner.

If the presetting stage has already been passed, S / N can be found in the settings (section "General, item" About this device ").

There you can also pay attention to the "Model" column. If the first letter "M" is a new (or used) iPhone, "F" means refurbished.

How to check iPhone by serial number? If the S / N matches, it's time to go through the eligibility check through the appropriate section on the Apple official website. On the verification page, fill in the "Serial number" field, enter the captcha and click "Continue".

Three checkmarks will be green to indicate that the iPhone is successfully tested and is either new or officially refurbished. In this case, you should make sure that the service support period does not expire earlier than 1 year from the moment the device is activated.

Where to Buy iPhone CPO You can purchase a refurbished iPhone directly through the Apple Online Store. For these purposes, a special section has been created on the company's website - “Certified Refurbished”. The only drawback of this method is the presence of restrictions on sending to certain countries.

What to do for those who cannot (or do not want to) order through the Apple Store? The main recommendation is to refrain from buying refurbished iPhones from unknown stores. The safest option is to buy exclusively through Apple's authorized sales representatives.

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